SWAN Congratulates Team Nigeria For Finishing 2nd At 12th AAG

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has applauded Team Nigeria for its achievement at the just concluded 12th African Games in Morocco, in spite of the not too perfect preparations prior to the championship.

SWAN notes and commends individual athletes who were able to rise to the occasion by exhibiting the ‘can do’ spirit of the average Nigerian.

SWAN commends the Team for finishing second on the medals table with 127 medals ’46 gold, 33 silver and 48 bronze’.“With that said, no one can deny the doggedness and commitment of our athletes, federation presidents and Nigeria’s sports media, as reflected by the final medals table. This is a huge plus for the Ministry of Youth and Sports and most especially, the immediate past Minister, Hon Solomon Dalung, under whom the planning were undertaken.

“It is also a befitting way to welcome the present Minister, Hon Sunday Dare, who we expect to surpass this incredible landmark left by Dalung, which is arguably Nigeria’s best outing in recent times.

“While SWAN also congratulates the Federal Government under President Buhari for providing the needed funds, we urge the Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare to ensure that Nigerian athletes are given necessary trainings to enable them consolidate on the successes attained in Morocco.

“There is no gainsaying that the bedrock of every nation’s success in sports is the grassroots, therefore efforts must be made to ensure that hidden talents are identified, harnessed and nurtured for podium finish.

“We particularly, urge the Minister to build on, and ensure consistency in the staging of the rejuvenated National Sports Festival (NSF), National Youth Games (NYG) and other talent hunting flagship programmes of the Ministry.